Emergency NumbersPhone Book (Must be on-campus or have a valid network account)
Skiing at Saint John's
Ski Trail Update: March 9, 2012
Randy has just finished grooming the ski trails! He mentioned that they are in good to fair condition with only a few bare spots along the way.
Enjoy it while you can...for spring is almost here!
Ski Trail Update: March 8, 2012
Sadly enough, the little bit of winter we had will most likely be gone come Tuesday of next week!
The trails at Saint John's are still pretty much snow covered, but they are icy in the morning, and soft in the day depending on the temperature. At this point, the classic tracks are not in the best condition. We did however, see quite a few skiers for the brief period after the snow.
We will try to groom the trails again on Friday, March 9 if all stars align. If the snow takes to grooming, we'll give you another update. Otherwise, you can assume they were not fully groomed and that the trails remain as they have been for the last few days.
Happy Trails!
Ski Trail Update: March 1, 2012
More snow has finally arrived!
We received 6-8 inches of snow, and I know that everyone is very excited!
Here is the plan:
We will be packing the snow today when the snow is a little soft. Once the snow is set up overnight, Randy will start setting the tracks on Friday.
Hopefully we will have some good skiing for a few days and that the base will weather the warm spell that is coming. Hopefully followed by some more snow!
We know everyone wants to ski, and while it is best to let the track set up without skiers on it, Randy expects that people will be on the trail as soon as he is packing.
Enjoy it while you can!
Ski Trail Update: January 25, 2012
The trail on Lake Sagatagn is closed!
We were grooming a classical loop last night and the groomer broke through near the cemetery. No one was hurt and the groomer easily pulled itself out. But we do not feel that we can responsibly maintain a trail on the lake until it gets colder and the ice is thicker and more consistent.
The trails that were created on the lake over the last couple of days are blowing shut with the inch of new snow we received overnight.
Tonight the groomer will set 2 classical tracks on the old entrance road. We have flipped the snow from half of the road to the other half. The result is that we can have a pretty nice double set of classic tracks. That way people can go up and back without bumping into each other.
There is not enough room for a skating track. This would be true even if we did only a single classic track as the flipped snow does not go far enough. And even if we only did have a single classic and a single skating, then we have the problem of people running into each other as they go up and back.
So no skaing on the old entrance road please.
Please note that the conditions on the old entrance road could deteriorate quickly with the predicted warm weather.
Sorry for the ongoing bad ski news, but better safe than sorry!
Ski Trail Update: January 24, 2012
The good news and the bad news!
First, we only received 1-2" of snow. And some of that may melt in the next few days.
On January 23, we did groom a skating trail in the snow that was drifted on the ice around the perimeter of Lake Sagatagan.
We plan to groom a classic lane, but the snow is quite limited and there are icy spots.
The Lake Sag trail can be accessed by walking down to the beach or going on the lake across from the new cemetery. If you go in by the cemetery, please park in the designated lot south of the cemetery, not in the cemetery. Please note that this lake trail is not something we plan to continue once we get decent snow.
We also plowed half of the old entrance road and flipped the snow on the unplowed half. That has been rolled the morning of January 24. We plan to set a classic trail on that area tonight. Please do not skate on the old entrance road.
We have also rolled snow on some of the woods trails, but it is simply not fit to ski on unless you have some skis you don't care much about and are willing to ski on leaves and worse part of the time.
We know everyone wants to get out, so now you know what awaits you!
NOTE: The pictures look like there is a good snow layer, but that is deceiving.
I rode along in Randy's new Artic Cat today. Very nice machine!
Upcoming Ski Event: January 8, 2012
CSB/SJU Nordic Ski Alumni Club Skate-Ski Race
Cancelled due to lack of snow!
Join us on January 8th for a skate-ski race on the Arboretum trails! The race is open to Nordic Skiers of all ages and abilities, from recreational to competitive. Get ready for a fun, competitive, outdoor event for the community that will also raise money for the CSB/SJU Nordic Ski student team!
Race begins at 10:00 A.M. at the Soccer Fields, SJU. Women 10 km, Men 15km
Pine Knob Trail will be closed from 6:00A.M. until 12:00 N for the race. All other trails will remain open to the general public.
Register Now for the Skate-Ski Race!
Ski Trail Update: November 22, 2011
Happy Trails to You.
Nordic ski trails throughout the Arboretum will be open for business again this winter. We are excited to have a new CSB/SJU ski club and welcome their new coach, Ion Senchea to campus as well.
In cooperation with the Athletics Department, most of the familiar trails will be groomed for both classical and skate skiing. The only exception will be part of the Pine Knob trail closed for logging of trees blown down in storms last summer. Over 500 trees blew down on August 2, a significant number across the trails, including on the ski trails. As of November 18, we were able to clear all but the area between Pine Knob and I-94. Salvage logging in that area will occur this winter.
Saint John's has contracted to have the trails groomed to meet the needs of the new CSB/SJU Nordic ski club, Saint John's Prep School Nordic ski teams, CSB/SJU students, and Arboretum recreational skiers. The contractor, Randy Hoffman, has a brand-new Arctic Cat ATV with tracks to get the grooming done (pictured above).
So get out your ski gear and get ready! The Arboretum can't tell you when the snow will stick - we're not that good - but when it does fall, the trails will be as inviting as ever.
Skiing at Saint John's: What you should know.
Walkers on the ski trails...
While it is wonderful that people are out exercising in the woods of Saint John's we try to avoid having much foot traffic on the ski trail system.
- If you must walk on the groomed ski trails, please walk on the edge of the ski trail opposite the classical track.
- The Boardwalk Loop, Logging Loop, the Chapel Trail, and the SE side of the Old Entrance Road are not groomed for skiing and are perfect for walking. View a Trail Map.
- The woods and trails are plentiful for sharing. Thanks for your help keeping the ski trails great for skiing!
Support the ski trails...
The ski trails are part of Saint John's Arboretum. The land is owned by the monks of Saint John's Abbey and is generously made open for public use.
- The ski trails are groomed for the benefit of the ski team, faculty, staff, students, members of the CSB and SJU communities, and the Arboretum. All of the grooming is performed by volunteer efforts of a few individuals plus the help of a student employee.
- We collect no trail fees, yet if you are not part of CSB/SJU/OSB I ask that you join the Saint John's Arboretum at the $40 Supporting yearly membership level.
- By joining the Arboretum you will receive all the information and benefits of every member (including a free introductory cross country ski lesson!) and can freely use the trails . You will also be supporting the ski trails and the grooming we do. On the application please indicate that you are a skier.
